Imagine an SUV that can thunder across a rally trail by day and cruise to a black-tie event by night without breaking a sweat. The new Defender OCTA is exactly that machine – the most powerful and most capable Defender ever built - yet one of the most luxurious. It’s engineered to conquer any terrain while cosseting its occupants in high-end comfort.
The new Defender OCTA made its debut on March 26, 2025 in India, at the Aamby Valley Airstrip in Maharashtra. A bespoke 7567 square-foot structure was created for the launch, offering a specially curated culinary experience. Guests were also treated to an adrenaline-pumping test drive of the Defender OCTA.
The Defender OCTA stands apart by staying true to its roots: this is no mere super-SUV in a tuxedo – it’s an athlete in tailored armour, blending ruggedness with modern sophistication. Even its name hints at duality. “OCTA” nods to the octahedral form of a diamond – among the hardest natural substances and a symbol of luxury. In short, the Defender OCTA is the toughest, most capable and most luxurious suv that promises toughness and opulence in equal measures and delivers on both with authority.
A Stance Built for Adventure and Presence
From the moment you lay eyes on the Defender OCTA, its purposeful stance makes a bold statement. This range-topping Defender sits 28 mm higher and wears a track 68 mm wider than the standard model, lending it a visibly more planted, muscled posture. Squat, widened wheel arches house enormous 33‑inchtyres – the largest ever fitted to a Defender – that hints at its go-anywhere intent.
In fact, the extra height and wider footprint aren’t just for show: they translate to higher ground clearance and rock-solid stability on uneven terrain, enhancing both off-road prowess and on-road presence.
The OCTA retains the classic Defender silhouette and utilitarian charm, but adds modern, assertive touches. A revamped front grille, tougher bumpers and a Graphite-coated aluminium skid plate signal that this Defender means business. Decked in a new satin-finish Faroe Green (the Edition One launch colour, evoking military robustness with a luxe twist), the OCTA looks ready for safari or city valet alike.
It’s impressively understated for what it is. Apart from a subtle emblem on the C-pillar, there are no loud badges or shouty stripes. Every inch is ruggedly functional, yet undeniably premium.
Under the bonnet lies the heart of this beast: a 4.4‑litre twin‑turbocharged V8 tuned to 635 PS (467 kW) and 750 Nm of torque. This makes the OCTA the most powerful Defender ever, outgunning even its supercharged V8 predecessor by over 100 horses. In real-world terms, that means 0–100 km/h in around four seconds flat – astonishing for a hefty, 2.5-tonne SUV built to climb mountains. Yet the power is delivered with polished civility. A 48‑V mild-hybrid system smooths out the torque surges and sharpens low-end response. The exhaust has been specially engineered as a quad-pipe system that growls on demand yet won’t compromise the Defender’s ability to wade through deep water. Yes, this luxury SUV can still ford rivers – up to 1.0 m depth, in fact, doubling the original Defender’s capability.
The Defender OCTA’s entire driveline and chassis have been extensively re-engineered to handle the immense performance across any landscape. The 8-speed ZF automatic and twin-speed transfer case are strengthened with a reinforced transmission cradle, unique prop shafts and beefier diff components, ensuring that all four wheels can put down that prodigious power reliably whether you’re on a highway or a rocky trail. Massive 400 mm front disc brakes with six-piston Brembo calipers provide sports-car levels of stopping power, vital for reigning in the OCTA’s enthusiasm.
Yet perhaps the greatest marvel is how the OCTA handles twisty roads, thanks to cutting-edge 6D Dynamics suspension. Instead of traditional anti-roll bars, it uses hydraulically cross-linked dampers (a technology used in supercars) to actively counteract body roll and pitch. The result is a tall, rugged 4x4 that can be hustled along a winding mountain pass with shocking agility – 67% less body roll than the standard model, and a faster steering ratio inherited from the Range Rover Sport SV for quick, precise turn-ins.
Off-Road? More Like Off-Charts
Of course, a Defender must earn its name off the beaten path, and the OCTA does so emphatically. Defender bills it as the toughest, most capable Defender ever, and the hardware backs that claim. That trick 6D Dynamics suspension not only enhances on-road handling; it also enables incredible wheel articulation and composure over rough terrain. When crawling over boulders or tackling steep gullies, the system can decouple cross-wheel forces to keep all four tyres planted and maintain traction where lesser SUVs would lift a wheel.
Approach and departure angles of roughly 40° and 42° respectively mean the OCTA can crest obstacles that would beach ordinary SUVs. Eight drive modes handle everything from Saharan dunes to Siberian permafrost. But the party trick is “OCTA Mode”—a rally setting with launch control for dirt.
Every aspect of the OCTA has been geared for extreme terrain. Those huge all-terrain tyres, combined with the air suspension’s extra lift, give an added 28 mm of ride height on demand – enough to clear knee-high rocks and defy seemingly impossible inclines. The underside is shielded by robust skid plates and even the recovery hooks are beefy metal with a protective bronze finish, ready for heavy-duty use.
The first thing you notice on the inside is that, like the exterior, it’s not trying to be ostentatious – it’s purposefully premium. The cabin layout remains familiar Defender, but enriched with exclusive materials and tech. Front and centre are the all-new Performance Seats, a pair of heavily bolstered yet supremely supple chairs trimmed in a unique mix of Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather and Ebony Kvadrat wool textile.
These seats strike the perfect balance between sporting intent and long-distance comfort, and even the second-row gets the same treatment so that every passenger enjoys the OCTA’s signature seating. Look closer and you’ll find bespoke details: Moonlight Chrome finishes for the switchgear, optional open-weave chopped carbon-fibre accents on the seatbacks and dashboard, and a new steering wheel with translucent, edge-lit paddle shifters for a modern touch. It’s a fusion of rugged tactile materials and contemporary design.
Tech-wise, the Defender OCTA introduces an innovative feature called the Body and Soul Seat. Essentially, it’s an advanced in-seat audio system with transducers built into the front seats, allowing you to feel your music and also enjoy therapeutic effects. This vibro-acoustic setup can play sound frequencies through the seat backs, augmenting the Meridian surround-sound audio and even offering wellness programmes that function like next-level massage modes. It’s a multi-sensory indulgence that turns long drives into a spa-like experience. Naturally, all the expected amenities are present as well: a large, crisp infotainment display with intuitive connectivity, a chilled center console compartment for beverages, and every seat is heated and ventilated.
The Ultimate Defender, Without Compromise
This is a connoisseur’s SUV, destined for the garages of those who demand the very best. For the modern explorer, the Defender OCTA represents the pinnacle of go-anywhere, do-anything opulence – a sophisticated companion built to take on the world, in style.
